Convertible child&#39;s seat and car



Feb; 1, 1949. W TE 2,460,557

CONVERTIBLE CHILD'S SEAT AND CAR Filed April 25, 1945 77w TOR.

Patented Feb. 1, 1949 (UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONVERTIBLE CHILD'S SEAT AND CAR Florence White, Bound Brook, N. J.

Application April 25, 1945, Serial No. 590,232

18 Claims.

' This invention relates to appliances for children, and has particular reference to childrens cars and seats.

' One object of the invention is to'provide a childs convertible car and seat having improved means whereby the seat can be embodied as a part of the car orseparately employed, preferably on a 'seat cushion of an automobile to safely retain and amuse a child.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a childs seat removably engageable in a very simple manner with a fixed seat cushion and adapted'to cooperate with a collapsible childs car frame to form the seat of the car and to directly engage and prevent collapse of the frame without requiring latches or other special securing devices, the seat being adapted to be directly lifted out for use on an automobile and for collapsing of the frame of the childs car.

- Another object of the invention is to provide an improved collapsible childs car, particularly of the tricycle type.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention comprises the novel features, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described in their preferred embodiments, pointed out in the subjoined claims, and illustrated in the annexed drawing, wherein like parts are designated by the same reference characters throughout the several views.

' In the drawing: 7

Figure 1 is a plan view of a convertible childs car and. seat embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation thereof.

* Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of arear portion of the childs car, with a .part in section and apart shown in dot-dash lines.

Fig. 4 is an exploded, fragmentary, sectional view of the detachable steering wheel mechanism.

Fig. 5 is a view in rear elevation of the child's car. 7

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation of the detached childs carseat mounted on an automobile seat shown in dot-dash lines, according to the invention.

The advantages of lined are best realized when all of its features the invention as here outand instrumentalities are combined, but, useful embodiments may be produced involving less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several different constructions. The accompanying drawing, therefore, is submitted merely as showing a preferred exemplification of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawing, I0 denotes a convertible childs seat and car embodying the invention. The same may include a frame I I so constructed as to be collapsible, and being held against collapsing by cooperation with a removable seat I2. When the seat is removed it may be used as a portable support for a child, and for this purpose may be placed on an automobile seat or cushion I3 which it may engage by suitable means hereinafter described.

A preferred collapsible frame may comprise a plurality of side members or bars I4, [5 that may consist of metallic tubing, or other suitable material. These bars may be substantially identical so that any bar can be used as a right or left member subject only to minor changes. At its forward end, each bar may have an integral eye portion l6. At its rear end, each bar may have wheel supporting means such as a downwardly and forwardly bent portion II having at its free end a stub shaft I8 riveted thereto or journaled therein and mounting a wheel l9. The bars I4, I5 are disposed so that their eyes I6 are in superposed alined relation, whereby the bars I4, I5 are at an angle to each other vertically, and therefore the portions Il may be slightly differently bent to bring the rear wheels I9 into alinement with each other. For clearance between the bars, a washer 20 may be placed between the eyes I6. Interconnecting the latter is a vertical shaft 2| having securing means such as a threaded portion 22 and nuts 23, 24 respectively above and below the eyes to prevent separation of the same. These nuts permit free rotation of the shaft 2| and hence the nuts are secured in place as by utilizing a tight thread. Depending from the shaft 2I is a fork 25 carrying a wheel 26 in suitably journaled relation at 21. From the upper end of the shaft there projects an integral engagement trunnion 28 for a steering device hereinafter described.

As thus far described, it will be perceived that I have provided a tricycle wheeled frame which normally forms a triangle, but which may be collapsed by angular movement of the side bars 55, M toward each other about a single point of interconnection afforded by a steering post for the tricycle.

The seat 52 may include a plate of rigid material, preferably metal, having at its rear end a downwardly bent flange 29. The latter has the dual function of engaging back of the cushion 1'3 of an automobile seat, and of engaging the frame it to prevent collapse thereof when associated with the frame. The flange also stilfens the seat transversely. The forward end portion of the'seat maybetapered and may carry a decorative element such as a steering wheel 3!} adapted to be held by the child for its amuse-- ment and support when seated in an-automobileand for steering the tricycle when seated on the latter. Means 3! is provided for mounting the steering wheel to accomplish. these? purposes. a

and also to permit the steering wheel to swing rearwardly when the seat is used inan automobile. The means 3!; may include a bracket formed, for exampla'of parallel wings 32;. struck outzof'the seat. tZaa-ndbent. upwardly to lie along planes longitudinal of the seat, the; resultant opening inthe seat being;shownat 32a. Journaled on these wings are opposedalined pins. orrstub-sha'fts. 33; carrying therebetween a ring or gimbal' 3s; The latter. forms a bearing aroundi-therneck -35; of: a tubular element. 36. in which is pinned at 3:7; a; rod 38 carrying the steering wheel at. A: depending portion: 39. of the rotatable'=member 3Sis-deformedv into flat: or polygonal shapeqin=.'cross"-isection for nonerotatable. engagement with" the similarlyshapedmem'e ber: 28-: which it: is adapted: to receive. I n..its

vertical'position. the. socket 39". alineswith .an

opreningiltea" in: the-seat; through. which opening theeiernent 28- may: enterthe. socket. In other Words, the part 39 engages the member 28-1i-n the manner-- of 'a: socket: wrench. If. desired, engagement: means. may. be provided; to; prevent accidental separation of; the members 39. and; 28 as by using a spring -snap= means including. a resilient tongue d'tnlongitudina'lly; cut in. the part thyand headed to engagein. an.-. annular groove 41: of. the memberfitzi The. securement of the seat. :52: to; the frame is. :also. eifected. by detach.- abl-yinterengaging portions including; hook means, such asvone or:morehooksezrsecuredto the individualbars M; lfi adjacent to thebight of each, these hooks: opening downwardly, and

portiens in the flange: 2 9 having:elongated. open ings ESJtOEfiBEIY' receive the hooks. The shanks M of the hooks are adjacent .to the bottom edges of; the openings; since the seat f2 is" pivoted downwardly: about the hooks for sleeving. the member 36'. over the element 28, with". the seat bearing downwon thebight portions of the v bars it, Hi; Preferably; thev hooks are positioned relatively. low. to cause .the' flange 29. to suitably stiffen: the frame.

To prevent. lateral vibration, a: spring tongue tea may. be provided: at a side of each opening 43', with. the free end bearing. against thehook shanks-4t. To: avoid vertical. vibration, rubber orcanvas .tubes:or. rings tfiimay. be"sleeved ;over the barsl', letocarry the rear part offthfiseat t2, while the front. part may rest on a: rubber or canvas washeneilyingonthe nut 2.3..

' The manner of using theadevicel G 'willr now-be briefly described. It has the-double purpose of afiordin-g a device which can be used in an auto mobile to amuse and safely support a child. Thus the seat 32 is fixed by the flange 29 engaging the rear edge of the seat cushion [3. The child may amuse itself by turning the steering wheel, which also affords a hand hold so that the child will not fall cit the seat. The steering wheel in convenient of access as it may swing rearwardly.

When the car it is to be used, the seat F2 is engaged with the frame H by first entering the hooks G? into the holes 43 and swinging the seat downwardly to cause the tubular part 39 to receive the trunnion 28. As this occurs, the seat pivots on the hooks and then on; the cushions at so that the hooks are at the lower ends of the openings 43 and are engaged by the vibration damping springs 45. There is sufficient clearance in-the'. device In to permit the parts 39 and 28 to easily aline with each other, and as the seatii comes to rest on the cushion Washer 45, the, springsnap engagement All, 4! becomes effective. However, this may be omitted, since theweight of the seat will sufiice to prevent accidental separation of those parts. Now the axis: fi ths-steering; wheel I is ..maintained vertical a's'zit' is :coupled to the'shaft; 2di, and yet the steer:- ing wheel may be turned to rotate the coupling 36 in: its gimbal; Stand-thus-to turnthezwheel. 26 ion steering thecar. V

When: thus assembled;.the-devicetO: canwbe operatedllike anythreeiwheeledchilds car... The flange 29s with. the; side/bars 1:4; 1 .5; provides; a triangular frame which isrig-id ,and-yetafiords sufficient yield for bmnbs; in:- theuroad: Thus the 1 wheels I 9; maybe vat slightly; di-flererrt elevae tions because of: irregularities 11143187513661; and the frame. will readily. .yield to conform, without causing undue strain orvibrations V Whenonly the seat iSI'IuSed, the.- frame-l I;- may be collapsedirbynsw-ingi'ng thebars'; l 4;. 1-5 together, whereupon theframe: may: be readily; stored away. in the automobile. Thus a child mayv be amused while travelingwith thezsteeringwheel Sit-at 'a convenient; angle. and: upon arrival; at

the destination, the. can can: be: instantly astsembled and made available for'useby the child: Whenthe seat is tobestored 'away,.-the steering Whcel 3 5 may be swung; downward allz the way for compactness. In swinging the members. 114', i5-tow-ardeach other, theypaltiallyoverrideeach otherdue to the: spacing of: the washerand r because of a slight. yield: on resilience in the members.

I. A child s car -compris-ingza. frame-structure having parts. swingably' interconnected. so. that said frame structure is collapsible; ands..a:.removable seat, said seat, when removed from the chiltl s car, being adapted; to berpositioned5on v an automobile seat cushion. and". having a. rear; end portion releasably.engageablerwith.anzedge ofst'he cushion. to retainz'thee seat: ins position; said? removable seat: having portions including said rear end portionaadapted to engagelsaidl-parts of the childs: car. to ipreventi-svvinging;movement.of;v said parts .andtto cause rigidityofrtheframestructure;

.2. A"=c'hild.s car-comprising .a frameehaving side members pivotally interconnected so that the frame is:col1apsi'ble,:the? carhavinga seat, that removable to permit theaframeto freely collapse; .said seat=- being; of. rigid. construction. and having means including marginal portions engaging: said: members, to thus: prevent relative angular: movement betweemthe members and maintain the frame against collapsing, said seat having secured to its front portion a decorative element adapted tobe grasped by the child for its support, said seat, when separated from the car, being adapted to serve as a portable seat and decorative element unit.

3. A'childs car comprising a frame, including parts swingably interconnected at' the front end of the 'frame'for collapsibility of the frame, and aremovable, one-piece rigid seat resting on said parts-and engaging certainof said parts to prevent swinging movement andcollapsing of the frame, whereby the seat is adapted to form a portable independent support for a child, and the seat and said parts having detachably interengaging means and to hold the seat in position and to cause the latter to prevent collapse of the frame.

4. A childs car comprising a frame having side members swingably interconnected, said frame having engagement portions, and an elongated removable, portable rigid seat resting on said parts and having at its rear 2. downwardly projecting rigid flange, and the seat having means, including said flange, detachably engaging said portions of the side members to prevent relative movement of the seat. and to prevent swinging movement of said members and collapsing of the car, the removed seat being adapted to rest on an automobile seat cushion with said flange engaging the rear edge of the cushion.

5. A childs car including a rigid, removable,

portable childs seat having at the rear thereof a downwardly projecting flange adapted to engage the rear edge of an automobile cushion on which the seat is adapted to rest, .a collapsible frame comprising side bars swingably interconnected at the front end of the frame, the latter being adapted to removably receive and support the seat, and the flange and frame having portions detachably interengaging the flange and frame to prevent swinging movement of the side bars and thus to avoid collapse of the frame.

6. A childs car according to claim 5 wherein the detachably interengaging portions include a lateral downwardly opening hook on the frame and a portion on the flange engageable under the hook as the seat is moved downwardly to rest on the frame.

7. A childs car according to claim 5 wherein the car includes a front wheel for turning the same, and means for mounting the wheel on the frame, a steering member, means for mounting the same on the seat to form a removable unit with the latter, and means for detachably interengaging the wheel mounting means and the steering member when the seat is mounted on the frame so that the steering member is adaptedv to actuate the wheel to turn the ear.

8. A childs car comprising a frame, a removable seat detachably carried by the frame, a front wheel for turning the car, means for mounting the wheel on the frame for steering about an upright axis, a steering member for the wheel, means for mounting the steering member on the seat for removal as a unit therewith, and means for detachably axially interengaging the steering member with the wheel mounting means for controlling the turning of the car.

9. A childs car having a frame, a wheel for turning the car, means for mounting the wheel on the frame, a seat detachably engaging with the frame and having a rear depending flange adapted to engage the rear edge of a support on which the removed seat can rest, a steering mem- 6. her, means mounting the latter onlthe 'seatifor removal as a unit with the seat, and means inter+ engaging the steering member withthe wheel mounting means upon mounting the seat onthe frame, the framehaving portions engaging the flange to detachablysecure the seat to the frame, and the interengaging means being disengageable for separation of the steering member. from the wheel mounting means upon removal of the seatfrointheframe.

.10. A childs.car having-a'frame and a front wheel for steering the car, the frame comprising side frame elements pivotally interengaged. at the front end for angular movement between v:each other to collapse the frame, a first means mounting the wheel on the frame,v a removable seat,-'a steering member for .said wheel, a second means mounting the steering member on the seat for removal as a unit therewith, said second means being detachably connected to said first means for operative engagement with the steering member, and a third means carried by the seat detachably connecting the latter to the frame, said third means being so constructed and arranged to retain the seat in operative position on the frame and to prevent angular movement between the frame elements.

11. The childs car defined in claim 10 wherein the first means includes a pivotal connection between said frame elements.

12. The childs car as defined in claim 10 in which the second means includes means for rotatably and swingably mounting said steering member.

13. The childs car as defined in claim 10 in which said second means includes means comprising a gimbal ring, a member swingably mounting said gimbal ring, and a member journaled in the ring carrying the steering member whereby the latter can be swung as well as rotated when the seat is removed from the frame.

14. The childs car as defined in claim 10 in which said third means includes a rear depending flange on the seat, said flange engaging the rear end portions of said frame elements.

15. The childs car as defined in claim 10 in which said third means includes a rear depending flange on the seat, the frame elements having hooks on their rear ends, and the flange having openings to receive the hooks.

16. The childs car as defined in claim 10 in which said third means includes a rear flange, the frame elements having rigid hooks on their rear ends, the flange having openings to receive the hooks and having springs bearing laterally on the hooks to dampen vibrations.

17. A childs car having a frame and a front wheel for steering the car, the frame comprising side frame elements pivotally interengaged at the front end for angular movement toward each other to collapse the frame, a first means mounting the wheel on the frame, a removable seat, a steering member for said wheel, a second means mounting the steering member on the seat for removal as a unit therewith, said first means including a pivotal connection between said frame elements, male and female axially interengaging members detachably connecting said first means to said steering member, said, second means including a gimbal mounting for one of the interengaging members permitting swinging of the steering member when the male and female members are disengaged, and a third means carried by the seat detachably connecting the latter to the frame, said third means being so constructed 

